Hosur and Vellore 17th October 2024

On Thursday, October 17, Daaji conducted meditation after which the atmosphere felt charged with deep absorption. This was followed by an inspiring talk from Daaji. 

He said, “During this meditation, some new guidelines were pouring into my heart from above, and I’m simply awestruck witnessing those dictations, which were not in words but in gestures. One gesture was about when in our country, in our culture, when we were encouraged to touch our parents’ feet. We did Sashtang Namaskaram [a yoga pose where the body is balanced on eight points of contact with the floor: feet, knees, hands, the chest, and either the chin or forehead] to our parents, our elder sisters and brothers, our uncles and aunts, and guests who visited our homes. Babuji says that it is time to revive that tradition, at least within our Heartfulness community. This will trigger mutual love and respect within the family. 

“Imagine that you get up early in the morning and touch your parents’ feet very respectfully, with a lot of love and reverence. Even if you fought the day before, this very act will dissolve your pain, your guilt, and all the sadness that you may have carried in your heart. Try it, and see what happens. 

“Secondly, it is wonderful when both husband and wife are meditating, but it is even better when they practice meditation together every morning. In Indian society, we are used to women waking up early, performing household chores, and being very busy in the kitchen. Husbands should also get up early and meditate together with their wives beforehand. It will change the vibrations in the house.

“Thirdly, Babuji wants us to exercise. 

“Contemplate on the stages of thinking to remembrance to frequent remembrance to constant remembrance to remaining absorbed in the remembrance of the Lord in all our day-to-day activities; and if you can go beyond just thinking, remembering, remaining absorbed, drowned in His remembrance, the next stage will automatically open up – being lost in the remembrance of the Lord. 

“Think over these steps, and how we can dive into that state of being lost in the remembrance of the Lord.”

When Daaji was leaving the meditation hall, Mr. Vinayagam lovingly invited Daaji to come to Chennai Silks [chain of retail textile shops in South India] where breakfast had also been arranged. Daaji accepted this invite graciously and visited a large Chennai Silks shop on the main road of Hosur, where many guests and hundreds of employees were thrilled by his arrival. 

Among those present, were dignitaries from the World Peace Trust, including two trustees of the organization, Mr. Viswanathan and Mr. Murthy. Daaji spoke with them about the intricate relationship between belief, experience, and the cultivation of inner peace. He suggested that while belief in God can be a starting point, true and lasting peace is attained through direct experience of the Divine. This experiential connection deepens one’s sense of peace and solidifies faith by replacing doubt with certainty. 

Daaji emphasized the importance of meditation and the shedding of old habits in the journey toward inner peace. He stressed upon the Heartfulness Cleaning practice, its pivotal role in helping us remove our weaknesses and negative tendencies, and the 9 pm Universal Prayer where we pray for peace, harmony and well-being of all in the world. 

Daaji also spoke about renunciation, suggesting that true peace may require letting go of even the desire for spiritual experiences. Clinging to these experiences, however blissful, can be a subtle obstacle to ultimate peace.

This interesting conversation was characteristic of Daaji's multifaceted approach to peace, where he uses analogies that everyone can relate to, simplifying the otherwise complicated philosophical concept of God, and most importantly, suggesting solutions to experience inner peace without hurting anyone’s religious sentiments. 

After breakfast Daaji conducted meditation for all the Chennai Silks staff members and guests, following which he browsed through various sections of the shop, happy to be shown around, asking the odd question now and then, much to the delight of the staff members who accompanied him. 

After this enlightening visit, Daaji proceeded toward Krishnagiri, which is part of the Hosur zone. Despite the intense heat, Daaji conducted a meditation session immediately upon his arrival at noon, and another one at 4.30 pm. 

When Daaji was leaving the meditation venue, he noticed around a 100 Anganwadi workers [associated with Govt. of India-sponsored child and mother care centers] who were wearing identical pink saris. He paused and inquired about their attire. They were thrilled to meet Daaji up close and interact personally with him. Daaji then invited them to have a group photo with him. This simple gesture touched their hearts in a very profound manner. It was indeed moving to witness Daaji’s heartfelt response to their affection.   

Daaji left for Vellore and arrived there after a two-hour drive. He was received with police honors and escorted to the venue. The hearts of the Vellore practitioners, full of yearning, moved Daaji so much that he skipped going his room to rest saying, "I want to conduct meditation right away."  After the session, Daaji retired to the hotel where he was staying.